100 years ago: Law against cigarette sales spelled out

"Lincoln's Birthday will be observed in Lawrence by those people who are most fitted to do honor to this Great American -- the old soldiers. At noon Monday the G.A.R. will serve a free dinner to the old soldiers.... Although Lincoln's birthday is only legal in one state, Louisiana, the day will be observed officially in Lawrence. The University will have a holiday all day Monday."

"Who is selling cigarettes in Lawrence? Following a brief item in the Journal-World concerning the selling of cigarettes in Lawrence a number of Lawrence dealers in tobacco have come out with very emphatic statements that they are not law transgressors. They are Griggs, Hilliard and Carroll and 'Swede' Wilson's pool hall. The protest against the violation of the cigarette law does not apply alone to the High School boys who can be seen smoking them almost any morning coming from the High School, but against any one buying such a contraband article in Kansas. The law is very strict on the matter. It reads 'Sale of cigarettes prohibited: It shall be unlawful for any person, company or corporation to sell or give away any cigarettes or cigarette papers in or about any store or other place for free distribution or sale.' Minors must not use cigarettes or tobacco. 'Every minor person who shall smoke or use cigarettes, cigars or tobacco in any form on any public street, alley, park or other lands used for public purposes, or in any public place of business, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be punished for each offense, by fine of not more than ten dollars.'... This is the law on the matter and yet any day in Lawrence boys much under age may be seen walking up and down Massachusetts puffing a cigarette."

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Comments

When I was a kid and come into town to see Grandpa and Grandma, Grandpa would give me 25 cents and I tell me go get him a pack of Pall Malls and use the 5 cents left to buy some candy for my self, would not work in todays world, thank goodness.

Tax 'em higher and higher until the wanna be 1%'ers scream bloody murder, if they have any lungs left with which to scream. But you know, the GOP says we can't tax our way out of the deficit, unless we raise taxes on the middle class and the poor that is. Smoke 'em if you got'em.